Telephone number reference



April 16, 1957 D. w. ALEXANDER 2,788,592

TELEPHONE NUMBER REFERENCE Filed June 15, 1955 v INVENTOR.

DAVID W. ALEXAND ER ATTORNEY United 2,788,592 TELEPHUNE NUMBERREFEREIQCE David W. Alexander, Portland, Greg.

Application June 13, 1955, Serial No. 514,931

1 Claim. (Cl. 4(l-ltl.5)

The present invention relates to a telephone number reference, and moreparticularly, to such a reference which is attachable to the handset ofa telephone.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a constructionincluding a revolvable element carrying names and telephone numberswhich is supported on and covered by a second member having a windowtherein through which the numbers may be observed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed Where the numbers are mounted on a removable strip of paperwhich can be replaced from time to time when new numbers are to be addedand old numbers removed from the device or when numbers are changed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a telephone referencedevice that can be attached to the transmitter or receiver of atelephone without altering the construction of the telephone equipmentin any way.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure of thetype described which is sufliciently noncomplicated in construction topermit the average unskilled user to attach the device to the telephone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which adds very little weight to the overall weight of thehandset so that no additional tiring will result from the use of thedevice.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the followingspecification when read in the light of the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a telephone handset showing the devicemounted through the receiver end thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the telephone handset with the receivercover plate and the invention shown in section for clarity, thesectional portions of Figure 2 are taken approximately along the line2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the mechanismillustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective of the dial supporting ring and dialcover ring.

Figure 5 is an exploded fragmentary sectional view of the rings shown inFigure 4, taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the directionof the arrows.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the dial strip laid flat and partiallyturned up at one of its ends for convenicnce of illustration.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals indicatelike parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral 10indicates generally a telephone handset of conventional construction.The handset is provided with a transmitter 11 at one end thereof and areceiver 12 on the other end thereof. A cover plate 13 is secured to thereceiver 12 by means of threads 14 formed thereon. The cover plate 13 isprovided with internal threads 16 for cooperation with the threads 14 onthe receiver 12. The transmitter 11 is provided with a similar coverplate 13 and it should be understood that applicants attachment may bepositioned either under the cover plate 13 or the cover plate 13'.

The attachment for the telephone 10 consists primarily of a ring 17which is provided at one end with an outwardly turned flange 118. Anumber carrying flexible strip 19 formed of paper or the like is gluedto the outer surface of the ring 17 by any desired medium. Names andtelephone numbers 26 are printed on this strip by any suitable means.The side of the strip 19 opposite the telephone numbers 20 carries anadhesive 21, which when moistened and applied to the outer surface ofthe ring 17 will glue the strip 19 thereto.

A dial cover ring 22 is mounted adjacent the outer surface of the ring17 and the dial strip 19 with suflicient clearance therebetween topermit the ring 17 to be revolved under the cover ring 22. The ring 17is held within the cover ring 22 by means of an annular rib 23 formedadjacent one end thereof. An annular tongue 24 is formed on the inneredge of the ring 17 opposite to the flange 18, the tongue 24 beingengageable over the rib 23 to maintain the ring 17 and the ring 22 incontact with each other, as illustrated in Figure 3. The ring 22 isprovided on the end adjacent the rib 23 with an inwardlyvextendingannular flange 25. An opening 26 is also located in the ring 22 and itshould be noted that the numbers 20 on the dial strip 12 can be readtherethrough as the strip is rotated thereunder.

In assembling the device, the dial strip 19 is applied to the dial ring17 then the dial ring 17 is inserted within the cover ring 22 with theannular tongue 24 snapped over the annular rib 23 to maintain the partstogether.

In installing the invention, the plate 13 or 13' is removed from thehandset 10 permitting the flange 25 of the cover ring 22 to be appliedover the threaded portion of the handset 10. Next the cover plate 13will be replaced onto the threaded extension 15 as best illustrated inFigures 1, 2 and 3, clamping the flange 25 between the cover plate 13 or13 and the handset preventing the cover plate from turning and holdingthe assembled unit to the telephone.

In operation, by grasping the outwardly extending flange 18 of the dialring 17 it can be rotated within the cover plate 22 permitting thedesired name and telephone number 2ti to be read through the window 26.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, itshould be understood that numerous modifications and structuraladaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope of theappended claim.

What is claimed is:

A telephone number reference attachment for a telephone handset of thetype having a removable cover plate thereon comprising an annular ring,a radial flange secured to one end of said ring and extending outwardlytherefrom, means on said ring carrying indicia, a second annular ringhaving an inwardly directed annular flange formed on one end thereof,said second annular ring having an indicia viewing opening formedtherein, and means on said ring for rotatably supporting said firstannular ring within said second annular ring, said flange on said secondannular ring being adapted to be clamped between the cover plate and thehandset of a telephone, said outwardly extending radial flange formed onone end of said first ring provides means whereby said first ring may berotated to change the indicia appearing in said window.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS731,805 Mc Kee June 23, 1903' 775,921 Hile Nov. 29, 1904 1,251,838 SykesJan. 1, 1918 1,332,604 Chester Mar. 2, 1920 1,466,286 Hearn Aug. 28,1923

